What is the third law of motion?

Prepare for the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy Test with our comprehensive resource. Study with interactive questions, flashcards, and in-depth explanations to ensure your success.

Multiple Choice

What is the third law of motion?

Explanation:
Newton's third law says that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When one object pushes on another, the second object pushes back on the first with the same force in the opposite direction. These action-reaction forces act on two different objects and occur simultaneously. This explains why you can propel yourself by pushing against the ground, why a gun recoils when fired, and how a rocket moves by expelling gas backward. The other options describe different ideas—inertia is the resistance to motion (first law), gravity is the attraction between masses, and friction is a resisting contact force—not the third law.

Newton's third law says that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When one object pushes on another, the second object pushes back on the first with the same force in the opposite direction. These action-reaction forces act on two different objects and occur simultaneously. This explains why you can propel yourself by pushing against the ground, why a gun recoils when fired, and how a rocket moves by expelling gas backward. The other options describe different ideas—inertia is the resistance to motion (first law), gravity is the attraction between masses, and friction is a resisting contact force—not the third law.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy